Restaurant Homepage Design: 9 Essentials Every Restaurant Website Needs
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Why Your Homepage Matters More Than You Think
If you run a restaurant, your homepage is your digital front door—it’s the first thing people see when they look you up online, and it can make or break whether they decide to show up hungry.
Here’s why it matters: 77% of diners check a restaurant’s website before visiting, and 68% say they’ve avoided a restaurant altogether because of a poor website experience.
This isn’t about trendy design—it’s about functionality, trust, and making a great first impression.
Let’s walk through 9 elements your restaurant homepage design needs to bring in more customers and cut out confusion.
1. Strong Hero Section with a Clear Message
The hero section is the first thing visitors see—it’s the very first section on your homepage, and the most prime real estate on your website.
A great hero includes:
A bold headline (what kind of food or vibe you serve)
A supporting subheadline (what makes your place different)
A call-to-action button (View Menu, Reserve a Table, Order Online)
A mouthwatering background image or video
The hero section should instantly answer - what kind of restaurant is this, and why should I care?
Keep the copy short, punchy, and direct. Here's an example:
"Authentic Texas BBQ Since '98 – Slow Smoked, Fast Served."
2. Clear Contact Info & Hours
This one goes for any local business, not just restaurants, but don’t over look this basic information. People want to know:
Are you open?
Where are you located?
How can I call you?
Put this info (or a link to this info) either in your header or right below your hero section. Consider adding:
A click-to-call phone number
A Google Maps link
Holiday hours or seasonal updates
It's great to sprinkle your contact information throughout other sections and pages of your site as well. Don’t bury the basics.
3. A Big Menu Button - Front and Center
59% of diners look at the menu before deciding to visit a restaurant. (Hospitality Tech) So make sure there is a 'Menu' button that is nice and big - ready to click.
And once they click that button, make sure the menu page your visitor is brought to is mobile-friendly and looking nice on your phone. Avoid PDFs unless absolutely necessary. Organize items clearly and make updates regularly. You can include things like:
Pricing & descriptions
Dietary notes (vegan, gluten-free, etc.)
Highlighted specials
Source: Hospitality Tech
4. High-Quality Photos That Show the Real You
Food is visual. 45% of people say they’re drawn to great photos—and 36% say bad ones can actually turn them away.
Invest in a few high-res shots of:
Your best-selling dishes
The dining space or bar
Your team (people connect with people)
Make it feel authentic. No stock photos. No over-editing.
5. Streamlined Online Ordering or Reservations
Customers want speed, ease, and convenience. If you offer online booking or ordering, be sure to include links to those platforms.
Make sure you include:
A clearly labeled “Order Online” or “Book Table” button
Direct links to platforms like Toast, Square, OpenTable, etc.
Mobile optimization for quick tap-and-go access
But if you're still doing things the old school way - we respect that and personally think those are some of the best restaurants around. We give you permission to skip this one.
6. Show Off Your Local Personality
People want to support local spots with a story and a soul.
Share a few lines about:
Your history or founding story
What makes you unique in the community
Your values (e.g., scratch-made, locally sourced, family-run)
86% of diners use online research when discovering new restaurants—nearly as influential as word-of-mouth.
Give them a reason to connect with you—not just your food.
Source: Convenience.org
7. Benefits & Features That Win Over Visitors
This is where you spell out exactly why someone should visit you over the next place down the street.
List key features in a short, easy to read format:
Private event space
Live music on weekends
Vegan and gluten-free options
Daily lunch specials
You can drop these in as icons, a bullet list, or even a small “Why Dine With Us?” section. Make it easy for people to say “Yep, this place checks all my boxes.”
8. Social Proof: Reviews, Press, and Community Love
When people see others loving your place, they want in.
Feature:
Google/Yelp review quotes
Awards badges
Instagram mentions or stories
Photos of happy customers
9. Fast & Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of restaurant website traffic comes from mobile devices . If your site is slow or broken on a phone, you're losing business.
Your homepage should be:
Lightning-fast
Easy to navigate with your thumb
Source: Statista
A great restaurant homepage design isn’t just about looking good—it’s about working hard.
✅ It should answer the questions people are asking.
✅ It should make them feel confident about your food, your vibe, and your service.
✅ And it should guide them straight to your front door—or online ordering cart.
If your current website isn’t cutting it, we’re here to help.
Check out our done-for-you restaurant template that includes these 9 Homepage Essentials and so much more 👉 The Local Restaurant
